The Underground is our recurring feature, resurrected from an all-time great CHUD column, the aim of which is to get the word out on projects outside the Hollywood studio system. Studio films have big promotion engines behind them. The Underground caters to everything else: from indie films, to cult films in the making, pet projects, guerrilla films, internet shorts, etc.
Drinking Buddies
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Their Skinny: Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson) work together at a craft brewery. They have one of those friendships that feels like it could be something more. But Kate is with Chris (Ron Livingston), and Luke is with Jill (Anna Kendrick). And Jill wants to know if Luke is ready to talk about marriage. The answer to that question becomes crystal clear when Luke and Kate unexpectedly find themselves alone for a weekend.
Oliver’s Skinny: A ‘will they or won’t they” film where half of the “they” is Olivia Wilde. Is that even possible that they won’t? Plus, there’s oodles of beer.
Is There Going To Be A Review? Yep. I’ll drink to that.
How Do The Chewers See It: Available now on iTunes and On Demand and in theatres on August 23.
In a World…
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Their Skinny: Lake Bell (“Children’s Hospital”) stars in IN A WORLD…, a hilarious comedy about a struggling vocal coach who strikes it big in the cutthroat world of movie-trailer voiceovers, only to find herself in direct competition with the industry’s reigning king—her father. Written and directed by Bell, who won the Sundance 2013 Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for the script, IN A WORLD… also stars Fred Melamed (A Serious Man), Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine), Demetri Martin (“Important Things with Demetri Martin”), Michaela Watkins (“Enlightened”), Ken Marino (“Burning Love”), Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”), Alexandra Holden (The Hot Chick) and Tig Notaro (“The Sarah Silverman Program”).
Oliver’s Skinny: The last movie in a sound studio I saw was Berberian. If this is as funny as that was trippy, then some good laughs are in the offing. Too bad LaFontaine ain’t around to have done the trailer.
Is There Going To Be A Review? Unfortunately, he voices are saying no.
How Do The Chewers See It: In theatres August 9.
Afternoon Delight
Distributor: The Film Arcade and Cinedigm
Their Skinny: Rachel is a quick-witted and lovable, yet tightly coiled, thirty-something steeped in the creative class of Los Angeles’s bohemian, affluent Silver Lake neighborhood. Everything looks just right—chic modernist home, successful husband, adorable child, and a hipster wardrobe. So why is she going out of her gourd with ennui? Deadened by the stultifying realities of preschool auctions, a lackluster sex life, and career that’s gone kaput, Rachel visits a strip club to spice up her marriage and meets McKenna, a stripper whom she becomes obsessed with saving. She decides to adopt McKenna as her live-in nanny, and this bold move unleashes unimagined and colorful waves of change into her life and community.
Oliver’s Skinny: Nothing other than reaction to the trailer, which looked promising.
Is There Going To Be A Review? They had me at stripper. Fingers crossed.
How Do The Chewers See It: In theatres August 30.
Bad Milo
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Their Skinny: Duncan’s (Ken Marino) life is a real pain in the ass. Tormented by a manipulative, crooked boss (Patrick Warburton), a nagging mother (Mary Kay Place), a deadbeat new age dad (Stephen Root), and a sweet, yet pressuring, wife (Gillian Jacobs), his mounting stress starts to trigger an insufferable gastrointestinal reaction. Out of ideas and at the end of his rope, Duncan seeks the help of a hypnotherapist (Peter Stormare), who helps him discover the root of his unusual stomach pain: a pintsized demon living in his intestine that, triggered by excessive anxiety, forces its way out and slaughters the people who have angered him. Out of fear that his intestinal gremlin may target its wrath on the wrong person, Duncan attempts to befriend it, naming it Milo and indulging it to keep its seemingly insatiable appetite at bay.
Oliver’s Skinny: Geez did you see that red band trailer down there? This looks more disturbing than that X-Files episode where that mind warping Indian fakkir crawled up the ass of that big fat slob…
Is There Going To Be A Review? There’s the implied possibility of homicidal demon birth via anus. Hell yes I want to review it.
How Do The Chewers See It: In theatres August 30.